Aarti Kelkar Khambete

Taming water - Irrigation and drought protection in colonial India and the present

The irrigation at all costs mindset and narrow policies for drought protection during the colonial rule ignored rainfed agriculture and local practices that sustained agriculture in the Bombay Deccan. This continues even today. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 2 months ago

Recurrent droughts and the struggle for survival (Image Source: Gaurav Bhosale via Wikimedia Commons):

The missing frontline worker

India is gearing up to take water to every rural household, but a crucial community connection is missing! Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 2 months ago

The frontline worker, a crucial but missing link in the water space (Image Source: Sunderrajan Krishnan)

Floods in Assam - a boon or a bane for fish diversity?

The frequency and intensity of floods is on the rise in Assam spelling doom for fish biodiversity. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 2 months ago

Life during floods in Assam (Image Source: Kausika Bordoloi via Wikimedia Commons)

Fragmented waterscapes increase risk of Japanese encephalitis

This first of its kind study found that fragmented water landscapes increased the risk of Japanese Encephalitis by providing more opportunities for mosquito breeding and transmission of the virus from animals to humans via animal hosts. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 2 months ago

Stagnant waters can encourage mosquito breeding and increase risk of diseases (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Poisoned waters of Delhi

This study found a high concentration of trihalomethanes (THMs) in water treatment plants in Delhi that were associated with increased risk of cancer. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 2 months ago

What's in your tap water (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Mining shrinks Odisha’s forests

Mining is taking a toll on forest reserves in Odisha. Effective measures to prevent further destruction of forests are urgently needed! Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

Shrinking forests of Odisha (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Greening of barren lands – the local way

The Chauka system of Rajasthan can not only provide a sustainable way to manage water resources in water stressed regions, but also support livelihoods through development of pastures. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

Can greening of barren lands happen? (Image Source: India Water Portal Flickr photos)

Warming waters will lead to gasping rivers in India

Indian rivers are experiencing rising temperatures, which can lower the oxygen carrying capacity of their waters and spell doom for living organisms, small and large living in the waters. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

The Karamana river in Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Poisoned waters, threatened lives

Studies reveal that children are the most vulnerable to the health risks associated with groundwater contamination due to nitrate and fluoride, highlighting the need for urgent remedial measures. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

POisoned waters, dangerous outcomes (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Poisoned wetlands, toxic fish

Heavy metal pollution is poisoning the East Kolkata wetlands, affecting fish and posing a threat to the health of humans who depend on this fish for their food. Urgent action is needed! Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

Fishermen use wastewater in Kolkata to rear fish (Image Source: India Water Portal)

Springs spring hope in Kashmir, Himalayas

While springs in Kashmir have still retained their good quality and have a great potential to be used for drinking water, threats to them are growing. Their protection and sustainable management is crucial. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

Verinag spring in Anantanag district of Kashmir (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Fluoride contamination of groundwater in Punjab, a growing concern

Fluoride contamination of ground water is on the rise in the Malwa region of Punjab threatening the health of the population. Urgent remedial measures are needed. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

Groundwater contamination in Punjab, a growing problem (Image for representation only, Source: India Water Portal)

Damned by pollution, doomed by beautification

The River Front Development project planned by the PMC is nothing but a cosmetic makeover for the already choked Mula Mutha river in Pune, argues Dr Gurudas Nulkar while speaking to the India Water Portal. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 3 months ago

The highly polluted and encroached Mula Mutha river in Pune (Image: Alexey Komarov via Wikimedia Commons)

Conserving India’s freshwater ecosystems: A shared vision

Freshwater ecosystems in India are in peril. We invite comments on this vision document by TNC-India, FES and Ooloi labs that highlights future actions needed to save them. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 4 months ago

Freshwater ecosystems, in peril! (Image Source: The Nature Conservancy, India)

Crop diversification and nutritional outcomes: The linkages

Promoting crop diversification at the policy level can not only improve regional disparities in nutrition as this study shows, but also reduce vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate shocks. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 4 months ago

A millet crop ready for harvest in rural India (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Droughts reduce India's GDP by 5 percent in twenty years

News this fortnight Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 4 months ago

India, vulnerable to droughts (Image: Pixabay; hbieser)

Ministry weakens protections against coal mine expansion

Policy matters this fortnight Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 4 months ago

Work in progress in coal mines in Jharsuguda (Image Source: Makarand Purohit)

Bamboo stick handwashing station

The bamboo stick handwashing station designed by Sehgal Foundation is an extremely convenient, effective and low cost filter that can be used for handwashing anywhere and is also easy to transport from one place to another. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 4 months ago

Handwashing, to prevent waterborne diseases (Image Source: Biswarup Ganguly via Wikimedia Commons)

Assessment of climate change over the Indian region

Climate change is real. What are its implications for India? This book presents a first of its kind national forecast on the impact of global warming on climate in India. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 5 months ago

Climate change is real. What does it mean for India? (Image Source: Robert Hensley/Wikimedia Commons)

India’s fantastic freshwater fauna and where to find them

Freshwater ecosystems are not mere sources of water, they are treasure troves of biodiversity. Know more about the fascinating and diverse animal species that inhabit freshwater habitats in India. Aarti Kelkar Khambete posted 2 years 5 months ago

Freshwater ecosystems, treasure troves of biodiversity (Image Source: India Water Portal)